When I was about 4 or 5 (the age my daughter is now) my dad took me to work with him for one day during my Christmas break from school. It’s something I will never forget because it forever changed how I perceived my dad, as a person.

At that age I remember thinking that my dad was the tallest, strongest and smartest person on the planet. Literally. Like literally there was nobody who surpassed his height, nobody who could lift as much as he could and nobody who could possibly know as much stuff as he knew. Superman.

I was also the little jerk on the playground who would share this information with the other kids in a “my Dad is better than your dad” kind of way. That same year I got in trouble for telling everyone there was no Santa Clause making a room full of five-year-olds cry. Telling people the hard truth seemed to be my thing from an early age.

Then, on that one day in December, I distinctly remember leaving my dad’s office. He put me in the car only he had forgotten something and had to run back inside leaving me to wait. (Back then it was okay to leave your small child in the car alone. Seat belts were also only a suggestion. I’m not sure how we all survived.) A few minutes later my dad returned, a smile on his face as he happily chatted away with a very nice co-worker of his who happened to be about fifteen (exaggerated) feet tall.

*Boom*

What the what? How can that BE?

The whole thing was all very movie-esque as you would expect. The ground was wet from the rain and the whole thing seemed to happen in slow motion. Seems I was a dramatic child from a very young age.

If that guy is taller than my dad then maybe he is NOT the tallest man ever. And if he’s not the tallest than he may not be the strongest…and what about the smartest?!?!

My 4-ish years on the planet were a lie.

I laugh about it now and it’s a funny story to tell but I remember being so upset about it at the time.

Now although my dad is tall, strong and smart he is none of these to the extent that I would take on a kindergardener to prove my point but he’s those things enough and then some.

So on this Take Your Son or Daughter To Work Day I hope you get an opportunity to show your child what it is you do all day to make their life as great as it is while, hopefully, not irreparably scarring them for the rest of their lives. Otherwise known as Thursday in my house.

Photo credit: Someecards.com

PS, I’m in totally catch-up mode with the blog right now. But trust me, you don’t want to miss what’s coming up about our first trip to Disneyland, Audrey’s birthday and that one time my husband found Audrey petting a dead mouse. Stay tuned…